What Are the Stages of Lipoedema? Lipoedema is a chronic condition characterised by the abnormal accumulation of fatty tissue, typically in the legs, thighs, hips,...
Every June, thousands of women across the UK mark Lipoedema Awareness Month – not with celebrations, but with hope. Hope that this year, more doctors will recognise the signs. That more women will finally have a name for the pain they’ve been living with for years. That fewer people will be told it’s simply a matter of eating less and moving more.
At Health Excel, lipoedema is something we care deeply about – and something we treat every day. So this June, we’re shining a light on a condition that affects far more women than most people realise.
What Is Lipoedema?
Lipoedema is a chronic condition characterised by a symmetrical, disproportionate build-up of fatty tissue — most commonly in the legs, hips, thighs, and sometimes the arms. It affects almost exclusively women and is thought to affect as many as 1 in 9 women in the UK.
Crucially, lipoedema is not caused by diet or lifestyle. The fat associated with lipoedema is biologically different to ordinary fat – it doesn’t respond to calorie restriction or exercise, and it can be painful to the touch. This is one of the most important and most misunderstood facts about the condition: no amount of willpower will make it go away.
Why Does It Go Undiagnosed for So Long?
The statistics are stark. A survey by Lipoedema UK found that 57% of respondents experienced symptoms around puberty, yet only 2% received a diagnosis at that stage. More than 60% didn’t get a diagnosis until their 40s, 50s, or beyond.
The reasons are familiar to anyone who works in this field:
- Lipoedema is frequently mistaken for obesity or lymphoedema, and women are often advised simply to lose weight
- There are no definitive diagnostic tests – diagnosis relies on clinical assessment and ruling out other conditions
- Awareness among GPs and healthcare professionals has historically been low, though this is improving
The result is that many women spend years – sometimes decades – feeling confused, dismissed, or ashamed of their bodies, when in fact they have a recognised medical condition that deserves proper treatment.
Recognising the Signs
Lipoedema tends to appear or worsen during hormonal changes (puberty, pregnancy, or menopause) and it often runs in families. Common signs include:
- A disproportionately larger lower body compared to the upper body, unresponsive to diet or exercise
- Bilateral, symmetrical swelling in the legs or arms (both sides affected equally)
- Pain, tenderness, or heaviness in affected limbs
- Easy bruising
- A distinct “cuffing” effect where the swelling stops sharply at the ankles or wrists – the feet and hands are typically unaffected
- Soft, cool skin with a dimpled or nodular texture
One key distinction from lymphoedema: elevation doesn’t reduce lipoedema swelling, and the feet and hands remain unaffected. If this sounds familiar, for you or someone you know, it’s worth speaking to a specialist.
World Lipoedema Day: 11 June 2026
This year, World Lipoedema Day falls on 11 June, and it’s a pivotal moment in the annual awareness campaign. In the UK, Lipoedema UK is collaborating with the Royal Society of Medicine for a free webinar bringing together global experts. The 2026 campaign theme is Lipoedema Literacy: tackling misinformation, supporting earlier diagnosis, and ensuring patients and clinicians have access to accurate, science-driven information.
It’s a sign of how far recognition of this condition has come, and a reminder of how far there is still to go.
What Are the Treatment Options?
While there is currently no cure for lipoedema, there is a great deal that can be done. Conservative approaches such as compression therapy, manual lymphatic drainage, and anti-inflammatory nutrition can help manage symptoms and slow progression. But for many women, these measures provide only limited relief.
VASER liposuction is widely regarded as the most effective treatment for lipoedema. Unlike traditional liposuction, VASER uses ultrasound energy to precisely target and break down lipoedema fat before gently removing it, while preserving the surrounding lymphatic structures. This matters enormously for lipoedema patients, where lymphatic health is already under pressure.
The benefits for lipoedema patients go beyond aesthetics:
- Significant, lasting reduction in excess fat deposits
- Relief from chronic pain, tenderness, and heaviness
- Improved mobility and ease of movement
- Better lymphatic drainage and reduced swelling
- Restored confidence and quality of life
Results are immediate and, when a stable weight is maintained, permanent in the treated areas.
How Dr Fasano at Health Excel Can Help
At Health Excel, Dr Leonardo Fasano specialises in VASER liposuction for lipoedema, combining surgical precision with a genuinely compassionate, patient-centred approach. With dual Master’s degrees from Queen Mary University of London and University College London, and extensive experience specifically in lipoedema surgery, Dr Fasano understands the physical and emotional weight this condition carries.
From your first consultation through to post-operative care (including compression garments and lymphatic massage), the Health Excel team supports you at every stage.
Consultations are available at our London and Birmingham clinics, with lipoedema surgery starting from £3,763.
If you’ve been dismissed, misdiagnosed, or simply never had anyone take your symptoms seriously: we will.
Book a consultation with Dr Fasano today and take the first step towards understanding your body and getting the care you deserve.
Further information and support:
- Lipoedema UK – the UK’s leading charity for lipoedema awareness, diagnosis, and support
- NHS: Lipoedema – overview of the condition and NHS treatment pathways
- Health Excel Lipoedema Surgery – VASER liposuction for lipoedema with Dr Fasano in London & Birmingham
